Emergency Room Vs. Orthopedic Urgent Care

Injuries are not scheduled and tend to occur when you least expect them. When you or your loved one suffers an injury, you want the best care available as soon as possible. In some cases, that means a trip to the emergency room. Other times, however, you can avoid a long wait and get an assessment and care from a specialist if you visit a musculoskeletal urgent care clinic.

When you need immediate attention for most acute bone, joint, and muscle injuries, like a fracture or a shoulder injury, our urgent care service will offer you the care you need—fast.

In the case of life-threatening injuries and other emergencies, such as open fractures, cuts with bleeding that won’t stop, burns, or head injuries, you will need to visit an emergency room immediately or call 911.

For a better idea of which service is necessary, refer to the listing below.

Injury/Condition

Orthopedic Urgent Care

Emergency Room

New bone/joint/muscle injury

 

Sports injuries

 

Pain or swelling in a joint

 

Hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder injuries

 

Recent back pain

 

Ankle sprains or strains

 

Knee sprains or strains

 

Work-related injuries

 

Dislocations

 

Fractures breaking through skin or open wound over fracture

 

Animal bites

 

Burns

 

Concussions or head injuries

 

Deep cuts

 

Severe pain requiring IV administration or sedation

 

For more information on our Orthopedic Urgent Care services at Tri-County Orthopedics, call (973) 538-2334. If you are currently seeking initial or follow-up care for a sports-related injury, please request an appointment online with one of our sports medicine specialists.